Matthew R. Green's Blog, page 86
June 21, 2022
A Collect to be Free from Sin's Insanity
Lord Jesus Christ, whom all creation must in time obey and submit, free us from the madness that sin has seeded in our hearts, that we might sit at your feet, learning from your wisdom and coming to understand the way you designed us and the world to work, in harmony and grace, through you who bears our limited frames yet is one with the Father and Holy Spirit in glory. Amen.
'Then people came out to see what had happened, and when they came to Jesus, they found the man from whom the demons had gone sitting at the feet of Jesus, clothed and in his right mind. And they were afraid.' - Luke 8:35
June 20, 2022
A Collect of Thanks for God's Notice and Love of Each of Us
Almighty God, who rules all creation from your throne in heaven, we thank you for reaching down to know us, to ask each of us our name as individual persons precious to you. May your love and desire to know each of us tie us to you as beloved citizens of your kingdom and subjects to the crown of heaven, through Jesus Christ our Lord, who reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.
'Jesus then asked him, "What is your name?"' - Luke 8:30
June 19, 2022
A Collect to Trust God's Working in Us
Lord Jesus Christ, by whose command all things were made, help us to trust in the cleansing work that you are doing in us, that we would not resist your work to bring us freedom but would allow your hands like a surgeon to bring healing to our bodies and souls, through you who brings healing to all the earth in the power of the Father and Holy Spirit. Amen.
'When he saw Jesus, he fell down before him and shouted at the top of his voice, "What have you to do with me, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? I beg you, do not torment me"-- for Jesus had commanded the unclean spirit to come out of the man.' - Luke 8:28-29
June 18, 2022
A Collect for Virtue
Great Rabbi, whose life and teachings are water to parched throats, may the virtues that you teach and work in us build upon one another, virtue producing virtue, that we would grow increasingly toward your likeness, able and ready to do good whenever it is called for as you did on earth and yet perform from heaven, through you who stoops down to bless your children with the Father and Holy Spirit in great love. Amen.
'...and endurance produces character, and character produces hope...' - Rom. 5:4
June 17, 2022
A Collect for Hope through God's Love
Holy Spirit, gift of the Father who abides in us, strengthen our hope, that our hearts would be lifted up and carried by the love that you pour into them and we would take courage and find joy in your presence and care for us, through Jesus Christ our Lord, upon whom you landed in Israel and who ascended to you and the Father in glory. Amen.
'Hope does not disappoint us, because God's love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit that has been given to us.' - Rom. 5:5
June 16, 2022
A Collect for Hope
Lord Jesus, who suffered greatly for our sake in taking our sins and separation from the Father, let our sufferings turn into hope, that when we also struggle and suffer in this life, we might not be crushed, but would be buoyed by the hope of your care and presence with us and the redemption that you will one day bring, through you who died yet lives again in the presence of the Father and Holy Spirit. Amen.
'And not only that, but we also boast in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope.' - Rom 5:3-4
June 15, 2022
A Collect to Hope in Suffering
God of wisdom, who understands what is necessary for your children and sympathizes with our struggles, give us vision to see beyond our sufferings to what those trials may produce, that we would be encouraged in the difficulty and find hope that good may come even from pain, through Jesus Christ our Lord, who suffered on our behalf and sat down at your right hand with the Holy Spirit. Amen.
'And not only that, but we also boast in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance.' - Rom. 5:3
June 14, 2022
A Collect of Thanks for God's Grace
God Almighty, who alone bears the authority to judge the nations, we are humbled by the grace you grant us, the favor that you give, though we do not deserve it. Grant that we would be changed by that grace, able to one day reflect your glory back into all that you have made, through Jesus Christ our Lord, through whom we have access to you and the Holy Spirit, one God in perfect unity. Amen.
'Therefore, since we are justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have obtained access to this grace in which we stand; and we boast in our hope of sharing the glory of God.' - Rom. 5:1-2
June 13, 2022
A Collect of Thanks for God's Mercy and Offer of Reconciliation
Almighty God, who bears power beyond our understanding, enough to destroy us with but a thought, we thank you for your mercy and your desire and willingness to bring about reconciliation with us, your rebellious and broken children. Grant us hearts that would desire likewise to turn to you, desirous of reconciliation and peace that flourishes as friendship between creator and created, through Jesus Christ our Lord, who gave himself for that peace and sat down at your right hand with the Holy Spirit. Amen.
'Therefore, since we are justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.' - Rom 5:1
June 12, 2022
A Collect Asking for Wisdom and Knowledge
Spirit of truth, who knows the mind of the Father and creator of all things, give us the wisdom and knowledge we need, that we would be able to live well as citizens of the Kingdom of Heaven, humble and loving as our master calls us to be and demonstrated before the eyes of many, through Jesus Christ our Lord, who is the way, the truth, and the life and the gate to the Father with you. Amen.
'When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth.' - John 16:13
